James Knox Rush: His firm gave young lawyers strong start

James Knox Rush

Although James Knox Rush shut down his legal practice 10 years ago, his legacy continues in law offices through Central Florida.

During 50 years of practice in Orlando, his firm took in many bright young lawyers who later established their own offices. He was proud of them all, and they looked up to him, too.

"He was always the gentleman in the truest sense of the word," said John Lowndes, a well-known Orlando attorney who was among those who worked for the Anderson & Rush law firm.

"He believed in fairness, honesty and respect for his fellow man, and he lived his beliefs."

Rush, 88, who was as proud of his hometown as he was of the young lawyers he mentored, died Wednesday from liver disease that arose suddenly after successful cancer treatments.

He came from a longtime Orlando family. One grandfather, Dr. Joseph Rush, was the first president of the Orange County Medical Society. On his mother's side, grandfather James Knox had a life-insurance agency. And his father, Gray Rush, operated a Ford dealership.

Growing up in Orlando, Rush attended Delaney Elementary and Cherokee Junior High schools, and he graduated from Orlando High School in 1939. A year later, he headed off to the University of Florida.

During World War II he was called into the service, where he was a forward artillery observer in the 38th Infantry Division in the South Pacific and rose to the rank of captain.

After the war, Rush returned to UF and graduated with a law degree in 1949. Then he returned to Orlando and entered law practice with Robert Anderson.

Their office was on the south side of Lake Eola in downtown Orlando, where condominiums now stand.

The rotation of young lawyers coming through the office eventually included his son Randy.

"I was privileged to practice for my first 10 years with Dad," said Randy Rush of Winter Park. "He taught me the technical parts of law, but also the things you don't learn in law school."

His son said Rush was extremely proud of being an Orlando native and that he never wanted to live anywhere else.

Rush served as president of the University Club, the Orlando Youth Center and the North Orlando Kiwanis Club. He was a longtime secretary of the Orange County Historical Society and drafted its charter.

He also was an active member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church of Orlando.

Rush also is survived by his wife, Ann Hudson Rush of Orlando; one daughter, Marilyn Blythe of Orlando; another son, Bill Rush of Maitland; and several grandchildren and step-grandchildren.

Arrangements are incomplete, but a memorial service is planned May 16.